"To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness." - Confucius Confucius, who presented himself as a "transmitter who invented nothing," left an indelible mark in the mind of man some 2,500 years ago. His teachings were compiled by his disciples after his death into a …
Category: Ideas Worth Spreading
Bring on the Learning Revolution!
We live in an era of momentous change. The industrial revolution feathered out and the information revolution feathered in over the course of the last century and the world is a different place. The digital revolution is transforming every aspect of our lives and economic activity is becoming more and more virtual. This massive shift …
What is Progress? Insights from Gregg Hake
What is progress? I had to laugh when I read Norwegian ethnologist Thor Heyerdahl's clever definition of progress. He said that "Progress is man's ability to complicate simplicity." Despite our supposed progress as a species, human beings have a knack for making life more complicated, more challenging and harder to enjoy. Most would agree that contentment comes …
Self-Determination Theory: Creating Long-Lasting Change
A long-standing central desire of mine is to help my fellows live healthier, happier lives. I do my best to center my words, my work and my living on the theme of life enhancement, yet I am often surprised by how rarely people tend to act on what they know they need to do to live healthier, more balanced lives. A circuit breaker …
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Never Stop the Line: How One Bolt Changed My Attitude
The story of the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) plant, a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota Motor Company that began in 1984 and ended this past March, offers powerful lessons for American corporate and political leaders. As part of the joint venture, Toyota showed GM the secrets of its production system, one …
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How to be Outrageously Happy
My five year old made another funny comment that you will appreciate. We were driving home from school on Friday and he said to me: "Daddy, is that an obstacle course?" I looked out in the direction of his gaze and to my delight saw of all things, a cemetery. I held back my chuckle as the irony of his …
Real Friends and Unconditional Love
"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. I'll always be with you." - Winnie the Pooh Pooh's kind words are the words …
Character and Success by Theodore Roosevelt
In 1901 Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States at the age of 42, following the assassination of William McKinley. Using tactics that followed his famous slogan, "Speak softly and carry a big stick," Roosevelt negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War, a feat that earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. …
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All Work and No Play!
The year was 1989 and I had just finished another ceremonial soiree with 60 of my American, French and Soviet peers in Paris, France. I had been selected to represent the United States as a student delegate to tour France in celebration of the bicentennial of the French Revolution and we made our way by bus, by train and by air around the countryside …
Inspired Leaders, Inspired Organizations ask and answer “why?”
What do you believe in? What do you believe about the world? What is important to you? What matters? If you are clear on what you believe in, the rest is just details. If you are clear on what you believe in, you will find others who inspire you to strengthen your resolve. If you are clear on what you believe in, you are much less likely to be distracted by extraneous compulsions.
Gregory Hake 